Erasing Windows XP or any other operating system isn’t hard at all. If you want to know how to erase your hard drive then you can simply use dban or wipedrive. Windows XP installation will give you the option to format the drive before installing. Format the drive will not erase windows per say but it will erase all “records” of its existence and therefore “get rid of it”. So to erase windows you can do one of three things
- use DBAN – a free open source disk wiper
- use wipedrive – cost a little but works very well and is good for none technically inclinded people
- just format the hard disk by placing a new windows xp disk in the drive
So go ahead and load the windows xp CD and continue with install normally. You will eventually be asked what drive you want to use, and if you would like to format the drive. Now keep in mind this wont erase you hard disk but it will make the drive appear to be free of data to any operating system you are about to install.